Prophetic Word: "I Desire America"
Updated: Apr 8, 2020
I recently saw this amazing photo of a bald eagle swooping down to snatch the prey of a red fox. What an amazing picture, I thought, and what a cool glimpse into nature. My mind was ready to go elsewhere as I continued doing what I was doing, but the Holy Spirit had me put on the brakes: He impressed upon me that this picture had prophetic significance for our country. Right now.
I believe God desires America. I know that this might sound obvious, but I think He still favors us even. I think He has since our inception. I think that His desire for us is so great that it can overshadow and overpower what the enemy has been doing for the past several decades. I think He is jealous for us and the obstacles that we see with our physical eyes in 2018 America are but tiny blots compared to His desire that we turn back and come home. 'Homecoming' is a word that I'm seeing. Not necessarily in the sense that His coming back is so immediate that we should be ready tomorrow for Jesus to return, but that we're ready, although it may not seem like it, to return to our roots as a country. This season is our homecoming!
The Fox
The 'fox' is mentioned in scripture a handful of times. These mentions are often symbolic of destruction or thievery. We know them as sly, stealthy, and opportunistic. As a hunter, I've witnessed these traits. They're fun to watch, but they certainly are crafty, cunning, and often looking for an easy meal. In Judges 15:4, Nehemiah 4:3, and Song of Solomon 2:15, the fox has to do with destruction. In Psalm 63:10 and Ezekiel 13:4 the fox's kin, the jackal, is spoken of in terms not far removed from the destructive qualities of his relative. These characteristics are all consistent. They're also all characteristics of the devil.
Jesus, in Luke 13 calls Herod Antipas a 'fox.' Herod was after Jesus and sent word that he'd kill him if He continued in His ministry. He also was the Herod that put John the Baptist to death and had his brother's wife (Herodias).
At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”
He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” LUKE 13: 31-35
Herod - A Political Stronghold
I believe that Herod Antipas of Matthew and Luke, whose personhood and political role is confirmed by history, represents a political stronghold. You'll notice how political figures like Herod are so closely intertwined with the pharisaic figures of the time. This isn't by mistake; the political and religious spirits often run in tandem. The only reason I mention Herod in detail at all is that I think this prophetic backdrop, of the fox and eagle, in the form of a breathtaking photograph, has to do with the thick, dark, and manipulative spiritual fog that has gripped our country politically for some time. And, as we know from our biblical example, where there is a strong political spirit, a religious foothold is nearby.
The Enemy/the Thief
The below verse, from Song of Solomon, is part of the vivid love story that represents both the metaphorical bride and bridegroom (the church and Christ) and, perhaps, a literal would-be man and wife story. Either way, the foxes are basically running interference on this romance. The scripture points out that the foxes spoil the vines, which produce grapes, and of course, any winemaker wants healthy grapes. But the vintage, or the harvest, is symbolic in itself. Of course, the fox, or the enemy, would endeavor to interfere with and spoil this connection between the head and the body, Jesus, and the Church. This is true about relationships and marriages, as Satan has long looked to promote disunity, divorce, and broken families, but it's especially true with the interference campaign against the end-time harvest of souls.
"Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes." SOS 2:15
The Eagle
The eagle comes to represent a few things in scripture, namely protection from foes, strength and majesty, and the act of "bearing up" or rising. Mention of the eagle is often used in the same breadth or context as God, His ways, and His plans for people and nations. It's also the symbol of America - the bold patriarch of the sky - the progenitor of free society and unashamed devotion to God. In the space of this photograph, I think that the eagle more directly represents God himself and His protecting/preserving heart toward this nation. In actuality, the eagle is intercepting the fox's hunt.
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. PSALM 91:1-4
The Prey - our hearts
I believe that the prey in this photograph is our hearts. Certainly, it's not true that we're all being whisked away by Satan but the symbol does represent the action of the fox stealing or attempting to steal our hearts...and God intervening. I believe that what we see in this country in the peripheral, how bad it looks, the deception, the division, the violence, the idolatry, is but a smokescreen. I believe we're on revival's doorstep, and a great outpouring is on the way - a new holiness movement like the Wesleyan renewals of old. America isn't lost. It will lead again and exalt God.
I heard the Spirit say while praying, "I've long loved you," concerning America. And, like the letter to Philadelphia (ironically an American city and one that played a major role in our nation's origin) in Revelation 3, I believe His charge to 'endure patiently as those who are of the synagogue of Satan are made to acknowledge that He loves us' is a word for here and now. It's important that we take heart, stand firm, seek him, and intercede for our nation.
9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. REVELATION 3:9-13
- JF D'Orsie - Communications Director - PCC